Anxiety is an emotion that everyone feels at some stage, just like any emotion. It can however become out of hand, causing issues in your daily life. Anxiety occurs when the body is constantly producing a stress hormone called cortisol, causing chronic overstimulation. This imbalance causes the body to constantly be in ‘fight or flight’ mode, ready to go at the slightest provocation. This would be okay if we were running from a sabre tooth tiger, but apart from being highly unlikely in the modern world, this constant on mode can severely disrupt the pattern of our everyday lives. Some symptoms include:InsomniaWeight loss or gainDepression FatigueHeadache Upset stomachDiarrhoeaIrritabiltyEmotional – crying or shakingPanic attacks can also occur, where there may be rapid breathing, clammy sweaty hands, dizziness, feelings of blacking out, rapid heart beat.Anxiety is exacerbated by:Consumption of stimulants such as coffee, tea and energy drinks. When we are anxious our nervous system is already in over drive, so adding extra stimulants creates more nervous tension and exhausts our body.Negative thinking patterns – try to use mindfulness thinking and positive affirmations in order to help manage your stress and anxiety.Dietary inclusionsQuality protein – protein is needed every day in order to build our neurotransmitters and hormones that protect our mental health. Quality sources of protein include lean meats, eggs, nuts and seeds, lentils, legumes and wholegrains.Nuts, seeds and wholegrains – These foods feed the nervous system and contain high amounts of magnesium, calcium and B vitamins.

Green leafy vegetables also contain Calcium, Magnesium, B vitamins and many other vitamins and minerals that we need for health.Vitamin C rich foods to increase cortisol clearance – berries, kiwi, oranges, mango….Dietary exclusionsIt’s important to avoid all stimulants because your body is already overstimulated. This includes caffeine in coffee and tea, excessive chocolate, energy drinks and sugar – alcohol and drugs also need to be avoided at this time due to adverse effects. Also avoid fatty foods such as takeaways and convenience foods, as well as high sugar processed foods. These types of foods create stress in your digestive system, and do not offer any nourishment for your body or brain.

Lifestyle advice to manage anxietyDaily exercise – walking, dancing, yoga, pilates, swimming . Meditation – 5 to 10 minutes before bed each night.Using positive affirmations Progressive muscle relaxation exercisesRestful sleep – 7 to 8 hours per nightDeep breathing in the diaphragm – this excites our parasympathetic nervous system which takes care of rest and recovery.Practice mindful thinking – taking yourself out of your anxiety thoughts and into the present moment. How can Naturopathy help with my anxiety?There are many ways in which naturopathic medicine can help with your anxiety. Herbal medicine can be used to calm and nourish the nervous system, taking away the over stimulated state. Specific nutrients can be prescribed for neurotransmitter function, and diet and lifestyle advice can be given which will help you to manage your anxiety in the long term. Speak to your naturopath today about managing your anxiety levels.

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Welcome to your info hub! Here you will find information on particular health conditions, diet and lifestyle. Use the Categories tab below to select what you're after. All the information here is written by our very own Naturopath Ally Chick, and if you require any further information please use the contacts tab. We hope you find it helpful and informative :)